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Euthanasia

Euthanasia: One’s Choice of Life or Death In recent years euthanasia has become a heated debate. Euthanasia has Greek roots as a “good death.” Euthanasia has many definitions. Euthanasia is considered to be voluntary when it takes place in accordance with the wishes of a competent individual. Nonvoluntary euthanasia is done without knowledge of the patients’ wishes either because the patient has always been incompetent, is now incompetent, or has left no Advanced Directive. Involuntary euthanasia is done against the wishes of the competent individual or against the wishes expressed in a valid Advanced Directive. Assisted suicide is usually defined as a specific situation in which there is a suicide, that is, an act of killing oneself intentionally. Physician assisted suicide is when the individual is given a lethal drug which they can use to kill themselves whenever they choose. Although the definitions may seem clear, there is much confusion about the words used to describe euthanasia and other actions that result in hastening death. Three states, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, have legalized euthanasia. My argument is euthanasia should be legalized in all fifty states.

One point of the heated debate is the slippery slope that could possibly occur if euthanasia was legalized. Professor Phil D. Frey states that “We need the evidence that shows that horrible slope consequences might occur, as noted earlier, does not constitute such evidence.” In other words Phil D. Frey is saying it is possible that slippery slope effect can occur, but nothing shows that it is likely to happen. In Oregon, there are many steps before one can qualify for euthanasia. These steps ensure that no slippery slope can occur.

In Andrew Walters view, “The Oregon Death with Dignity Act” has served as a model statue in other state attempts to pass assisted suicide legislation. The act has several important provisions, read altogether, provide safeguard for the terminally ill, the...

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...Euthanasia
William Edwards
December 3, 2012
HCA 322
Linda Hoppe
Euthanasia is a very controversial topic with people not just in America, but around the world. Let’s start with defining euthanasia and the two different type of euthanasia. Euthanasia is, “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy” (Merriam-Webster, 2012). There are two different types of euthanasia. Type one is active euthanasia; active euthanasia is, “the practice of injecting a patient with a lethal dose of medication with the primary intention of ending a patient’s life, at the patient’s request” (Medical-Dictionary.com, 2012). The second type of euthanasia is passive euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is, “the ending of life by the deliberate withholding of drugs or other life-sustaining treatment” (Medical-Dictionary.com, 2012) Active euthanasia would be closer to the actual act of assisted suicide, because it requires the help of others to inject something lethal into another’s system. Passive euthanasia would be a doctor following a person’s request for example if they had a living will or a do not resuscitate order (DNR).
People have many varying opinions on...

...Euthanasia: The Liberty to Die With Dignity
The Pro-Life Alliance defines Euthanasia as: “Any action or omission intended to end the life of a patient on the grounds that his or her life is not worth living.” (ProCon.org). So the question stands, should an individual who is terminally ill, is in unbearable pain, can no longer function independently, who feels their life is so intolerable that it is no longer worth living, and who is of sound mind, be permitted the right to end their own life? Canada is said to be a free country, however hundreds of people are denied the right to end their suffering annually and die with dignity and self-respect on their own terms. Euthanasia should be legalized to relieve the suffering of those who are terminally ill and allow Canadians the right to choose their death, to dismiss the emotional burden left on family, friends and end the financial drain on hospitals, loved ones, and the healthcare system.
Euthanasia is an effective way to save the human resources and economic costs Canada uses on continuing the lives of men and women who would rather die. The energy of doctors and occupied hospital beds could be used on other patients whose ailments are curable. Instead we create a shortage of hospital space and lessen the general care of other patients whose lives could be saved. In the U.S.A last year, Medicare spent approximately $50 billion on doctor and hospital bills during...

...﻿Physician-Assisted Suicide and Legal Euthanasia
It is true that many Americans may not be capable of making a decision about their death, that is why there needs to be a legal practice of witnesses. I believe assisted suicide should be legal in the United States. The reason I would like to see legal euthanasia is for myself. I worry that will not have children or any one to take care of me. I don't want to become a ward of the state with no say over my elder care.
Physician-Assisted Suicide and Legal EuthanasiaEuthanasia is defined as “literally good death”. (MacKinnon/Fiala 2014) Many argue that it is the same as murder and any one found assisting in the death should be charged so. In 4 states physician-assisted suicide is legal. The states are Oregon, Montana, Vermont, and Washington. I would like to look at the individual states in this paper.
Oregon
In 1994 Oregon legislation passed the Death with Dignity Act. “An adult who is capable, is a resident of Oregon, and has been determined by attending physician and consulting physician to be suffering from a terminal decease, and who has voluntarily expressed his or her wish to die, may make a written request for medication for the purpose of ending his or her life in a humane and dignified manner.” (ProCon, 2014) The patient seeking the prescription for the medication must be at least 18 years of age, a state resident, capable of communicating for...

...James Alexander
November 27 2011
PHI-105
Professor Sanejo Leonard
Should Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide be Legalized?
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide should become legal in the United States and all US territories. Though Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide are not the same and are separate acts, they both serve the same purpose, which is to follow the desire of a person with terminal illness to end their life without legal consequences. This same right should extend to family members and guardians of people unable to act for themselves. The current legal situation is that the procedures are illegal in most of the United States. There should be a Federal Law allowing euthanasia and assisted suicide to be practiced in all fifty states.
What are euthanasia and assisted suicide and why are they needed? Euthanasia is defined as, “the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit.” (Definitions, n.d.) (What is important is the word "intentional". If you did not mean for the person to die, it is not euthanasia).Assisted suicide has come to mean, when a person gives another person the knowledge, assistance, and method to take their life and knows that they will used for this to cause death. When a medical professional helps another person to end their existence it is known by the title of 'physician assisted suicide.'....

...physician-assisted suicide (euthanasia)?
According to the Dictionary of Foreign Words, euthanasia denotes death without pain, which is done at an untreatable patient’s request[1].
The developments in the field of technology and science had an enormous influence on medicine. Doctors have the ability to save more lives, cure, reduce suffering, which in a way has given them the power to sustain lives of patients whose mental and physical potential cannot be restored[2]. Their pain cannot be terminated and their deteriorated conditions cannot be reversed, therefore their solicitation for a dignified death grows louder. The Netherlands became the first nation in the world to openly allow the anti-life policy, and soon others have followed. In this essay, I will argue in favor of euthanasia, showing both legal and moral arguments.
The legal debate regarding euthanasia in the Netherlands started with the “Postma case” in 1973, concerning a physician who had facilitated the death of her mother after repeated requests for euthanasia[3]. While the doctor was convicted, the court's judgment set out criteria when a doctor would not be asked to keep a patient alive against their will. The public acceptance of euthanasia got popular in time, and this lead to a shift in the composition of the Dutch governing coalition. Eventually, in 2001, the...

...﻿Facts About Euthanasia
1. Definitions of Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
The term Euthanasia originated from the Greek word for "good death." It is the act or practice of ending the life of a person either by lethal injection or the suspension of medical treatment. Because of this, many view euthanasia as simply bringing relief by alleviating pain and suffering. The word has also been applied to situations when a decision is made to refrain from exercising "heroic" measures in an end-of-life situation.
Voluntary Euthanasia - When a competent person makes a voluntary and enduring request to be helped to die.
Involuntary Euthanasia - To end a person's life without their knowledge or consent.
Active Euthanasia - To end a person's life by use of drugs, whether by oneself or with the aid of a physician.
Passive Euthanasia - To end a person life by not taking the necessary and ordinary action to maintain life. This can be done by withdrawing water, food, drugs, medical or surgical procedures.
Physician-Assisted Suicide - Suicide accomplished with the aid of a medical doctor intentionally providing a person with an overdose of prescription medication.
Assisted Suicide - Suicide accomplished with the aid of another person.
2. Physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal and widely practiced in the Netherlands where:...

...Euthanasia the best solution to the suffering
A gravely ill man lies in bed awaiting death. He exerts all his energy upon every breath he takes. One of life's agonies is waiting for it all to be over. Euthanasia, a remedy for this man's unfortunate situation, could be his solution to happiness. It has been a highly controversial debate not only in recent years, but also since 1870’s in the United States and Europe. Euthanasia is the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment, it is knew literally as “Easy and Good Death” and as the “Mercy Killing”(Britannica Encyclopedia 2012). Should Euthanasia be a legal option for the terminally ill? To begin, one aspect of euthanasia's benefits is the fact that the quality of life when a person is chronically ill tends to be very bad. Euthanasia can end an uncomfortable and painful life. Secondly, euthanasia can save families money on medical bills. The cost of keeping a person alive with an unfortunate fate would be higher than a person who chooses to pass away. Lastly, a person, legally, should have the right to end their life.
Firstly, the issue of quality of life plays a large role in the support of euthanasia. Lying in bed all day can be a form of torture within itself. Bed sores and...

...ABSTRACT
The explanations offered in Moral Philosophy, for one of the dilemmas of life and death, which is the euthanasia or mercy killing. This paper attests euthanasia as extremely sensitive matter in public issue as life being a sacred value in this world. Religious argument will be running on this bundle of knowledge – Euthanasia is against the word and will of God. The paper argued the morality and immorality of the subject, leaving euthanasia as a hard moral judgment. This paper enlightens us to various religious perspectives. Like the Christians, majority of them are against euthanasia. The settings will be based on the point of view that life is given by God. God has made man therefore man is sacred. Because of this, the statement no one can claim other’s life has been emphasized. They don’t have the rights to do so even though the patient wants death. It lay out that Euthanasia is a negative subject as John Paul II stated that euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God referring to one of the ten commandments of God, “Thou shall not kill”.
Some of the insight for this paper came from the articles by James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, Sixth Edition (2010). The first part of the article elaborates the Moral Philosophy itself giving some examples like Baby Theresa, Jodie and Mary and Tracy Latimer. These examples bring out the feeling of moral...